SEA Electric’s modified Hino 917 glider a Queensland working first
A decade’s relationship between All Purpose Transport and homeware firm Ikea is behind the advent of Queensland’s first electric delivery truck entering service.
In hindsight, it is a likely outcome as delivery firm All Purpose has made a virtue of innovation, particularly in personnel development, while environmentally sensitive Ikea has already linked with fleet delivery service ANC in New South Wales for a commercial electric vehicle (CEV) effort there.
Mark Bailey, Paul Kahlert and Renea Robson at the official event
In both cases, the CEV in question is a modified Hino 917 glider with the SEA-Drive 120a power-system that was converted from diesel to electric, has a 200km-250km range, four-hour charging rate and a 3.5 tonne carrying capacity.
“We led the way with workforce development and now we are leading the way with last-mile emission-free deliveries,” All Purpose Transport GM Paul Kahlert.
“Our goal is to drive social change and focus on helping the environment. “We want to be leading the way in Queensland.”
The new electric vehicle would perform up to 15 deliveries a day whilst significantly reducing noise and carbon emissions to residential areas in Brisbane.
Ikea Australia spokesperson and store manager Renea Robson sees the truck’s launch of the truck as a significant milestone for the company as part of her firm’s EV strategy, which aims to have zero emissions for home deliveries by 2025.
“It’s a big commitment to move forward but we can’t do this if we’re not working with likeminded companies like All Purpose Transport who want to preserve the planet for future generations,” Robson says.
The sentiment chimes in with the views of Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey, who attended the official function at Brisbane’s Royal International Convention Centre.
“The country needed to see more of a shift towards clean energy in our economy as climate change is something impacting us and it’s great to see All Purpose Transport leading the way here,” Bailey says.
On that note, Kahlert tells Nine News organisations that “with the [economic] growth that we are seeing, it’s far better for the environment and far better for the residents as well.”
It was an important day for the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), with CEO Gary Mahon supporting the move.
“They are a lot quieter vehicles, they are in urban environments – that’s a benefit as well,” Mahon tells the network. “Utilising electric vehicles may well drive down our costs.”
All Purpose Transport says it boasts more than 45 years’ experience and has completed over 20 million deliveries on behalf of leading retailers and manufacturers.
“All Purpose Transport partner with our customers and develop solutions that meet the ever-changing needs of our customers,” it adds.
“Our delivery heroes are often the only face to face interaction customers have throughout the delivery journey. “Our dedicated teams understand the value of all products we deliver and they are proud about the part they play in representing our customers.”
SEA Electric’s thumbs up
For SEA Electric, the outcome is the culmination of a three-year project with All Purpose.
“The 100 percent electric power-system offers a range of up to 300km (unladen), zero emissions saving an estimated 36 tonnes of CO2 per annum when compared to a typical diesel equivalent, enhanced driver comfort and safety with little heat and noise, and reduced total cost of ownership,” SEA Electric regional director of Oceania Glen Walker says.
The manufacturer notes the transport company operates an owner-driver model and they have purchased the SEA Hino 917 delivery truck to test the business benefits of running an electric delivery truck and evaluate the positives and negatives.
All Purpose Transport plans to offer an electric vehicle leasing scheme for a sustainable business model to their owner-drivers.
Of the ANC vehicles, SEA Electric reports have traveled 85,000km, traveling an average of 185km per day on a single charge, and made more than 5,000 deliveries with an average weight of around 2.5 tonnes.
“It is estimated in 10 months the three ANC electric trucks have saved a total of 90 tonnes of CO2,” it says.
SEA Electric founder and CEO Tony Fairweather says he is privileged to be invited to the All Purpose Transport launch of the first 100 percent electric delivery vehicle deployed in Queensland.
“The event was well represented by Ikea and many All Purpose Transport clients, as well as being supported by Queensland government with minister Mark Bailey addressing the room,” Fairweather says.
Fairweather adds he is encouraged by the content of Bailey’s speech, “with his acknowledgment of this fast transitioning segment and that Australia has been slow to adopt strategies to support it, however implying this would soon change.”
SEA Electric says that a further discussion after the minister’s address suggests that electric rubbish trucks should and will be supported in Queensland and was interested in the current status of our activity with Brisbane City Council.
“I am confident that this will be the start of many more electric commercial vehicles for Queensland,” Fairweather says. READ MORE
Article by Australasian Transport News (ATN), fullyloaded.com.au, 11th December 2019
